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Staples resigns

Effective Dec. 1, the Broken Bow City Council will be one person down. Corey Staples’ resignation was accepted, regretfully, voiced Councilman Scott Spanel at Monday’s City Council meeting. “I’ve learned a lot, and I thank the council and the city for the opportunity,” Staples said when he was thanked by his fellow board members and presented with a plaque. The reasons for the resignation centered around his responsibilities at work, Staples said following the meeting. “I’ve loved it (the position), but my job is going to require me to be gone a lot,” he added. Staples is a Quality Manager for BD. He said he leaves proud of the accomplishments and improvements the council have been able to put into place. “I’ve been really impressed with the council and the city for getting out there and getting the pool approved, for reinvesting back into the city.” Staples has been on the council for eight months. Council President Mike Evans also leaves his post on the council next month. He pulled his name from the ballot prior to the November election. Like Staples, the time requirements of job and family led Evans to the decision. He had been on the council for nearly seven years, and served as president for the last five. It was a decision he labored over, he said, but in the end was one he knew he had to make. Like Staples, Evans can list the projects that made him especially proud ... the pool, the ballfield, reducing the train noise through quiet zones and getting some of the dilapidated buildings cleaned up. He says the council has worked hard, and it’s been a position he’s been proud to hold, but now it’s time to focus on his business, and time to focus on his family.Aquatic Center Facility bid awarded The new aquatic center, pool, now officially has a contractor. The council accepted a bid Monday for $2,566,875 from Carrothers Construction Co., LLC of Paola, Kan. The engineering estimate for the project was $2,500,000. The bid from Carrothers includes the construction of the new pool, as well as the demolition of the old. The city approved a bond last fall not to exceed $3,250,000 for the project. According to Michael Morrand, Carrothers Construction Company president and owner, they intend to start construction sometime between February and April of next spring depending on the weather. “The project will take around eight months from start to finish,” he said. He also said his company will use mainly local sub contractors. They will bring in a superintendent and lead foremen and then hire the rest locally. He pointed out that his company built the outdoor pool at Kearney. It’s been in business since 1921 and Morrand has been the owner since 1994. Their main area of focus is building aquatic centers for municipalities. “It is imperative a community of this size have a pool,” he said. “If they don’t, the families go somewhere else to swim and take their sales tax dollars with them.” Carrothers was the low bidder in a field that ranged from $2,566,875 to $3,163,096. In other business, the council: • Said yes to Mayor Mac McMeen’s appointment of Brad White to the Broken Bow Library Board. • Approved the recommendation of the Broken Bow Planning Commission to allow a lot split request by Jim Franssen. • Passed Ordinance 1095 to vacate the north-south alley between South 7th and South 8th Avenue and between South L and South M streets. Easements to utilities will be maintained. • Authorized the sale of two 14,000 gallon vertical fuel storage tanks located at the Broken Bow Power Plant. • Elected to continue the in-kind contribution to the Custer Economic Development Corporation of office space for Liz Babcock, CEDC President for an A membership in the organization. The agreement will be in place for four years. • Voted to advertise for bids for LED street lights. • Approved a construction service agreement with JEO Engineering.

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